1. Medieval Medicine (c.1250–1500) Flashcards
What were the beliefs about disease during Medieval Medicine?
Supernatural & Religious beliefs, The Four Humours, Miasma Theory
Disease was seen as punishment from God, attributed to imbalances in bodily humours, or caused by bad air.
What is the Four Humours theory?
Blood, Phlegm, Black Bile, Yellow Bile
This theory posited that an imbalance among these four bodily fluids led to illness.
What does Miasma Theory suggest?
Bad air caused disease
Miasma theory held that diseases were the result of noxious vapors or foul air.
What were common treatments used in Medieval Medicine?
Bloodletting & Purging, Herbal Remedies, Religious Healing, Hygiene
Treatments aimed to balance humours, with varying effectiveness and a mix of superstition.
What role did bloodletting and purging play in Medieval Medicine?
To balance humours
These practices were common methods believed to restore health by correcting bodily imbalances.
What types of medical practitioners existed during Medieval Medicine?
Physicians, Apothecaries, Barber-Surgeons, Wise Women
Each group had distinct roles in the provision of medical care and treatments.
What were the responsibilities of Physicians in Medieval Medicine?
Expensive, used zodiac charts, four humours
Physicians were typically well-educated but costly, relying on astrological charts for diagnosis.
What did Apothecaries do in Medieval Medicine?
Provided herbal remedies
Apothecaries acted as pharmacists, creating and dispensing herbal medicines.
What procedures did Barber-Surgeons perform?
Basic surgery, amputations, wound treatments
Barber-surgeons combined hair cutting with surgical practices, often handling urgent medical needs.
What knowledge did Wise Women possess?
Local knowledge, used herbal treatments
Wise women were community healers who relied on traditional herbal remedies.
What was the level of government intervention in public health during Medieval times?
Limited government intervention
Public health measures were generally not enforced by authorities, leaving communities to fend for themselves.
What were common beliefs regarding the Black Death?
Divine punishment, bad air
The Black Death was interpreted as either a punishment from God or a result of miasma.
What responses were common during the Black Death?
Flagellation, quarantine, herbal remedies
People sought to mitigate the effects of the plague through various means, including self-punishment and isolation.
